The Nvidia GTX675m or the 680m for 3D Vision in a M17x R4?

Which is the better balanced high-end Nvidia GPU choice for my pending spec build order of a M17xR4 with the 1080p 120 Hz screen, if price is not a overly critical concern? The benchmark tests for PassMark @ www.videocardbenchmark.net site state a respective G3D rating of 2314 (GTX 675m) and 2613 (GTX 680m). Doesn't seem like a major difference in performance between the two. But I don't know the exact GPU price differences at the moment since its not optioned on the Dell site, which makes the choice more worrisome. If it was less then $250 then I would lean towards the 680m to get that extra hump and not worry about future DIY upgrades.

I recently ordered a M17xR4 with the 675m only because the 680m was not available at the time of my build order (missed it by 1 day). Seems like from other info by a forum member on another post - is that the 680m is in shortage & won't be available till mid September.

3D Nvidia Vision gaming is a big issue with me and the better the GPU the happier I will be. You really need that extra horsepower to run 3D Vision @ 1080. Someone recommended I stay happy with my 675m build and just OC it.

Any ideals with anyone facing similar choices. I currently have a M17 R3 with an underpowered GTX 560m and am not happy with it when I go to full 3D Vision at max 1080 resolution (yea, i know it wasn't designed for such capabilities).

So its time for a change. I considered just simply replacing my current M17 R3 GPU to a 580m as a more practical solution -- but the part seems impossible to get even at a reasonable cost. Plus why not just jump up to a new M17 with the Ivy 3rd Gen CPU for the heck of it.

Any input or putdowns would be welcome & greatly appreciated

 

The 675m IS the 580m. That is why the part is probably impossible to get.

The 680m will perform a lot better. You are rendering double the frames so better the GPU, better the performance. The difference in price, however, is a lot. Last I checked, the 680m was something like a $500 upgrade over the 675m.

 

Get the 680m if budget doesn't matter. Plus, getting the 680m is more future proof. That's all you need to know.

 

680m.. but dell's out of those currently too..

 

I would just buy a Clevo 680M off fleabay and put that in your current laptop.

 

The Clevo cards have issues with the fan... You have to force it at full speed =/

 

I read this would not be possible since Dell would not support the R3 & 680m with a bios update given the Fermi differences of the old & newer Nvidia GPUs; plus their own grip to control the laptop gaming empire with no desire to help us R3ers with upgrades - i dunno?

But I am considering a 2GB 580m Clevo for my R3 and cancelling my R4 build - but i see only 1 fleabayer selling it from the UK for $548. I guess then I would basically be near equal to a R4 with a 675m minus the Ivy I7 CPU. A few tweaks/installs (a 16 GB RAM addition / SSD drive lying around the lab / I've been delaying to install) & I'd save ~ $700 with this option.

 

Hello

Im facing same problem was looking to build 17 with 680 but its not available i tried to contact dell support and got this answer

Faisal: "Looking forward to pre order alienware 17 r4 but i cannot find gtx 680 ithought its available for this model"
08/22/2012 06:09:04PM Agent (Budala L): "Glad you chatted in today, I'd be happy to help you"
08/22/2012 06:09:18PM Agent (Budala L): "i am afraid we no more have the GTX 680*"
08/22/2012 06:09:58PM Agent (Budala L): "we only have these card available"
08/22/2012 06:10:00PM Agent (Budala L): "*******GB GDDR******* NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX *******M *******GB GDDR******* AMD Radeon™ HD *******M *******GB GDDR******* NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX *******M"
08/22/2012 06:10:07PM Faisal: "May i ask if there is any problem with this graphic card"
08/22/2012 06:10:46PM Faisal: "Or its onlu unavailable"
08/22/2012 06:11:33PM Agent (Budala L): "as per the market research our marketing team has decided that . and I could only say that we do not have the **** available now"
08/22/2012 06:12:24PM Faisal: "So what do you recommend for gaming ? 7970 or 675 ?"
08/22/2012 06:15:05PM Agent (Budala L): "i would suggest 675"
08/22/2012 06:15:13PM Agent (Budala L): "as it supports 3D"
08/22/2012 06:15:52PM Agent (Budala L): "where the AMd does not support 3D and comparatively the 675 is the good graphic card"
08/22/2012 06:16:18PM Faisal: "I see thanks for helping"

 

I got the almost the same exact response. I smell a Turing Bot named "Agent Budala"

 

I'd strongly suggest to get an 680m, as an 680m is with a small overclock on par with the 580m in sli(or 675m in sli since its same chip), so the difference is really big

 

Man, if i had an option of only 675 and 7970 and 3D wasn't an issue, id go with the 7970M, however if its 3D you want, then wait for the 680M....or if you can wait even longer then the 670MX is something around the corner

 

Thanks for the response. You're right, the 7970M is a wise choice. But alas, I am not too wise. I went ahead about 2 weeks ago & got the 680m, but instead of the M17xR4, I just went up to the the M18xR2, and 2 x 680m in SLI. Its a sweet machine, expensive, but worth it for me, a semi-mobile gaming laptop with high end desktop power.

I almost went with the 2x 7970m in CrossFire in my new M18xR2 build. But, 3D is a sorta thing with me for some reason. I know its gimmicky with alot of gamers, but I do enjoy that bit of extra depth of field that for me makes my gaming experience more surreal on some occasions. With the M18xR2 I have to hook it up to a external 3D monitor/tv, unlike my old M17xR3 (sold it & gone) with the built in 3D panel, but its a pretty nice increase in performance between my Aliens. Overall, I'm pretty impressed with the Ivy 3rd genny rigs and the Kepler GPUs efficiencies; my new build even runs much cooler temps then my old M17xR3 with the just a single 560m, amazing how tech advances in less then a year.

Thanks paradigm, good luck with your pending M17x R4

 

Thanks mate, I was In a similar fix myself, the week following my order dell.au had a deal including a 3D display and free upgrade to 680M, however I needed the portability, and sadly I couldn't access the same savings and or change options. so 7970M it is, till they upset me with the 7990M .... A never ending story isn't it, hopefully this laptop keeps me happy till we get over HASWELL and I can still enjoy a fully tricked out laptop...then.... amen

Enjoy your laptop, I am sure I'll do the same.